EPISODE · Dec 18, 2025 · 32 MIN
Latin America in the Spotlight in 2026
from Latin America in Focus · host Tony Frangie Mawad, Gerardo de Icaza, C4 Trío, Luisa Leme, Carin Zissis, Khalea Robertson, Roberta Braga, Brenda Estefan, Thomas Traumann
From the Donroe Doctrine to tariff turmoil a rightward electoral tilt, 2025 was a year of shifts for Latin America. Now, with Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Haiti, and Peru gearing up for presidential votes in 2026, more change is on the way.To make sense of what's to come, this episode of Latin America in focus brings back four of our prior guests from across the region: Venezuelan journalist and political scientist Tony Frangie Mawad, Mexican international affairs expert Brenda Estefan, Brazilian journalist and political analyst Thomas Traumann, and Latino and hemispheric digital democracy expert Roberta Braga.Then, in conversation with host Carin Zissis, the OAS’ director of electoral monitoring, Gerardo de Icaza, draws on over a decade of experience overseeing missions in 27 countries to explain the evolving challenges on the ground for election observers, from being victims of increasing political polarization to finding practical ways to leverage artificial intelligence for stronger election processes—as well as what it all means for democracy in the region.Monitor what’s in store for 2026 elections with our guide at: www.as-coa.org/2026Listen to past episodes with our guests:Tony Frangie Mawad on Venezuelan elections: t.ly/DszOSBrenda Estefan on Mexican foreign policy: t.ly/2Mfs5Thomas Traumann on Brazilian votes: t.ly/jp64bRoberta Braga on Nayib Bukele’s online reach: t.ly/vU0tEAccess other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at [email protected]. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.The music in the podcast is “Me Gusta Soñar,” our show's theme from the C4 Trío of Venezuela. https://youtu.be/NZ123ysut9s?si=tr5Qu25ujhSTXGIC Find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org and share your love for Latin American culture and politics by joining Americas Society. https://www.as-coa.org/memberships/engage-americas-society Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/
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From the Donroe Doctrine to tariff turmoil a rightward electoral tilt, 2025 was a year of shifts for Latin America. Now, with Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Haiti, and Peru gearing up for presidential votes in 2026, more change is on the way. To make sense of what's to come, this episode of Latin America in focus brings back four of our prior guests from across the region: Venezuelan journalist and political scientist Tony Frangie Mawad, Mexican international affairs expert Brenda Estefan, Brazilian journalist and political analyst Thomas Traumann, and Latino and hemispheric digital democracy expert Roberta Braga. Then, in conversation with host Carin Zissis, the OAS’ director of electoral monitoring, Gerardo de Icaza, draws on over a decade of experience overseeing missions in 27 countries to explain the evolving challenges on the ground for election observers, from being victims of increasing political polarization to finding practical ways to leverage artificial intelligence for stronger election processes—as well as what it all means for democracy in the region.
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Latin America in the Spotlight in 2026
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